Cool MateAbroad vs Out of the country
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Abroad
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
Out of the country
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Abroad
| Abroad | Out of the country | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əˈbrɔːd//🇺🇸 //əˈbrɔd// | 🇬🇧 //aʊt əv ðə ˈkʌntri//🇺🇸 //aʊt əv ðə ˈkʌntri// |
| Meaning | In or to a foreign country. | Not in the country where you usually live. |
| Example | I want to study abroad for a semester. | I will be out of the country for two weeks starting next Monday. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | travel abroad, study abroad, live abroad | out of the country for business, out of the country on vacation, out of the country indefinitely |
| Antonyms | domestically | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'overseas' - they have slightly different connotations., Using 'abroad' in contexts that require a specific country., Mixing up the meaning with 'away' - 'abroad' refers specifically to foreign countries. | Confuse with 'out of country' – 'the' is necessary., Incorrectly use in place of 'abroad' where 'out of the country' is too specific. |
| Usage notes | Use 'abroad' when talking about traveling or living in another country. It's suitable for casual and formal contexts. | Use when referring to being in a different country; suitable in formal and casual contexts. |
Frequently asked questions: Abroad vs Out of the country
What's the difference between Abroad and Out of the country?
Abroad: In or to a foreign country. Out of the country: Not in the country where you usually live.
Which is more common: Abroad and Out of the country?
Abroad is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Abroad: I want to study abroad for a semester. Out of the country: I will be out of the country for two weeks starting next Monday.
Can I use Abroad and Out of the country interchangeably?
Not always. Abroad and Out of the country are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.